>Water pistols. Like gum under the seat, it's an American Tradition.
Suspend an eight year old. Then try and fine his parents if he does it when he's nine.

Utterly insane -- but it’s what the morons wanted, so it’s what the morons get.

A busy Mom and Pop with threee kids might not be able to STOP their 8 yr. kid from taking a water pistol in his backpack. Kids aren't supposed to have cigarettes or Tylenol in school either, yet they do.
And not all kids who do it are morons. Some may be just a tad more daring.
Lots of them.

>And as for the “indoctrination” angle, what this policy teaches are:
* to rat on each other for infractions against the most inane of rules
* how to conceal weapons for amoral/illegal purposes

I think they should have metal detectors at the highschools...amd the wands.
The staff need to be warned who the trouble makers are, and have the security guards go from there.

>So -- how long does it take you to deteriorate on a flight, Lindy?

I don't know what you meant by this. I haven't flown since 911, but I'm headed out on an international flight soon. Hair "chopsticls" are wood, and no more dangerous than a couple of pencils.
Can you carry pencils these days through airports?
How about pens?
Now THERE"S a real problem! Did anyone see the movie where Joe Pechi stabs a guy to death in a bar with a ballpoint PEN?

So, the lady in question may have protested about her chopsticks, but I see her point.
if it had been me, and they had got me on a day with PMS, who knows....I might have nmade a scene too. That doesn't make me a moron. But it's another little stress that can add to up to an attitude. Not once did you mention that there should be a review of things that can go along on a flight.

>People who scoff at federally mandated precautionary measures should be removed from federally regulated facilities.

I see your point, but the pressure is on.......mostly for Americans with their nail clippers and pencils.

>There are ways around the problems, such as mailing your suspect accouterments (nail clippers & chop sticks) to either your destination, or back home, or simply packing them in with your freight-luggage.

I can see where you're going with this. Can't you see that some things need changing?
While they're pulling all the nail files out of ladies' purses, some Iranian terrorists is renting a truck and filling it with explosives just by signing a paper at a rental.
Ahh..nevermind.